Our Family Vacation to Chicago

We just got back from our very first family vacation!  We've visited family before, but this was our first big adventure as a family.  A lot of thought and planning went into our trip to make it the best it could be.  The first big decision to make was deciding our destination.  We wanted to take advantage of flying somewhere without having to pay for a ticket for Archer and Lyla.  (Kids can ride on your lap for free up until they are two years old.)  But we didn't want to travel too far away because there's no way our kids could handle a long flight at this point.  We also wanted to be able to take advantage of a place we could walk around or use public transportation so we wouldn't have to worry about renting a car or bringing along car seats.

So with all those factors in mind, we settled on Chicago.  It was just over an hour from Kansas City.  Plus, we felt comfortable using the public transportation (and wouldn't need to lug along car seats) since Adam and I have traveled there before.  In fact, that's were Adam proposed to me!  So it definitely holds a special place in my heart.

The part I was most nervous about was the flight.  Lyla and Archer do not sit still.  Like, not ever.  They will sit in my lap for about 20 seconds for a snuggle occasionally.  They can make it a bit longer if we're reading books, but even then we're talking minutes.  Not an entire hour.  And I wasn't sure if they would have any issues with their ears.  So I pretty much thought they would do terrible and it would be a horrible experience.

I am very pleased to say I was wrong!  Thanks to some careful planning and packing beforehand, we managed to keep them entertained on the plane ride there!  It was incredibly lucky that the flight we were on had a few empty seats, so they actually got to sit in a seat instead of our laps. (I'm working on a post where I'll share a few tips and tricks that worked for us.)

Once we got there, we took the train from the airport to our condo for the stay.  We were quite happy once we finally arrived!  It was hard work lugging around toddlers and suitcases, but we managed!  We ended up booking a place through VRBO.  It turned out to be the perfect place for us!  It was located along the Gold Coast, which was close to the majority of the places we wanted to see.  It had two bedrooms, a bathroom (with a tub for bath time), a kitchen, a washer & dryer, a long hallway perfect for running down, and four flights of stairs.  Archer and Lyla are in love with climbing stairs all by themselves right now, so it might have been their favorite part of the whole trip.  It also came equipped with two pack 'n plays, a high chair (two were promised, but only one ended up being available), and a double stroller.

It was still being cleaned when we arrived, so we dropped off our suitcases and took the kids to get some deep dish pizza.  This was well after their normal lunch time and smack-dab in the middle of nap time.  We fully expected some epic meltdowns, but Archer and Lyla had a blast!  I think they were too busy taking in all their new surroundings to think about how hungry and tired they really were.  Off to Lou Malnati's we went!  It was just as delicious as we remembered it to be and so much fun to get to watch Lyla and Archer gobble up the pizza.

After our late lunch, we headed back to our condo so the kids could take some much needed naps.  While they were napping, I unpacked a bit while Adam went to a nearby grocery store to pick up a few breakfast items.  Since we had had such an eventful day, we took it easy the rest of the day.  Bedtime was a bit rough.  We figured they would be fine since they went right to sleep for their nap.  We were wrong.  We tried to put them both in the same bedroom, but they just set each other off and it was a big hollering mess.  Our kids are very good sleepers...so long as they have their own crib in their own room.  So this new environment was definitely throwing them off.  Eventually, we moved one kid to each room and got them to sleep.  Whew!  Adam and I were ready for bed that night!

We slept in the same room as Archer.  He decided to wake up around 4:50 the next morning.  I stuck him in between Adam and I in our bed and he slept a bit longer.  Archer apparently rolls all over the place while he's sleeping.  I'm not even sure how, but he ended up laying horizontally across my pillow.  So, needless to say, I didn't get back to sleep.  Eventually he woke up again and I just took him out to the living room to play while Adam and Lyla got a bit more shuteye.

On a side note, I only packed a few small things to play with while we were there.  I brought along two small cars, a few books, a box of picture flashcards, and some balloons.  And that was more than enough to keep them occupied.  Now I'm thinking all those minimalist parents are onto something!

Once everyone was up and had eaten breakfast, we headed off for the Shedd Aquarium.  It was just a six minute walk to the bus, so I said, "I think we can get away with not taking the stroller."  Famous last words.  The kids did enjoy walking around and were pretty good about holding our hands, but they did want to be carried a fair amount.  They enjoyed the bus ride, until Lyla ran out of her snack.  I'm pretty sure all the passengers were happy when we finally got off the bus.

Adam and I both thought the kids would love the aquarium!  They love to look at the fish in our fish tank at home and read books with fish in them.  But they didn't seem to really enjoy the aquarium.  They did like to see some of the exhibits, but were just generally pretty whiny.  I thought it would be a great idea to go to the dolphin show.  We sat there for about two minutes until we looked at our two loud, squirming children and decided it was a stupid idea and left.  Luckily, Adam and I were able to just laugh it off.  We did keep exchanging looks as our cranky children kept having fits and gazed longingly at the other kids sitting nicely in their strollers.  I made a mental note to bring the stroller from here on out!     

It happened to be Father's Day and I kept wishing Adam a "Happy Father's Day!" whenever one of them screamed.  Here's a little video to showcase some of our fun:

We got some lunch at the aquarium, attempted to see a few more exhibits, then decided to head back to our condo.  Archer fell asleep in Adam's arms on the bus.  Lyla decided she wanted her daddy, so we switched kids during our ride.  Once we got off the bus, I carried Archer and Adam carried Lyla.  I didn't realize how much they help me when I'm carrying them until I carried my limp, sleeping toddler down the streets of Chicago.  We made it back to the condo in time for Archer to finish his nap and Lyla to start hers.  Once they woke up, we headed out for an early dinner.  We made sure to bring along the stroller this time!  Archer and Lyla loved sitting in it and looking at everything.  I think they were fully able to take in the sights and it was fun to watch how they reacted.  There was one point when an ambulance drove by with the sirens on and it scared Lyla.  She was fine once I held her hand.  Adam enjoys trying new beers, so we thought we'd give Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery a try.  While Adam did enjoy his beer, the food and service was just okay.  I wouldn't really recommend it.  We headed back to the condo afterwards to turn in for the night.

The next morning, we decided to venture out for some breakfast and then hit up Navy Pier.  We tried to go to 3rd Coast Cafe, but it happened to be opening later than usual.  Archer and Lyla don't exactly wait patiently for food, so we ended up going to The Original Pancake House.  It's just a chain, but it was close by and turned out to be yummy.  Usually, Adam and I like to try to eat at unique, local restaurants, but we needed to find a place before Lyla or Archer got too hangry.  We made sure to stick them in the stroller as well and they were happy to ride along.

After breakfast, we hopped on a bus to Navy Pier.  We were a little unsure how getting two toddlers on the bus along with a stroller would work out, but it turned out just fine.  I got the kids on while Adam wrangled the stroller aboard.  Luckily, it wasn't very crowded.

We made it to Navy Pier and walked around.  It was pretty chilly, so I'm glad we all had jackets.  We let the kids get out at several spots to run around.  They had a blast climbing on railings and benches and playing with the buckles on the stroller while Adam and I enjoyed the views.

Adam actually proposed to me at Navy Pier!  So it holds a special place in my heart.  It was even more special that we got to bring Lyla and Archer to that very spot and snap a picture.

Even though we'd eaten breakfast not too much earlier, we grabbed a quick bite so the kids would stay happy.  We walked around a bit more and then took the bus back to our condo just in time for nap time.

When they woke up, we took advantage of happy hour at Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery.  They had a nice selection of craft beers and delicious food.  Lyla was especially fond of the beer cheese dip and chips.  It had a very nice atmosphere, fun decor, and our server was very kind and accommodating to our crazy kids.  Luckily it was early, because Archer and Lyla decided to be very vocal.  They were happy, but they were loud!  We walked back to the condo for the evening with full bellies.

The next morning, we decided to hit up the Lincoln Park Zoo.  We considered going to the Chicago Children's Museum, but figured Archer and Lyla still might be a bit young to truly enjoy it.  Plus, the zoo was free!

We stopped by 3rd Coast Cafe again for breakfast and luckily it was open.  It was delicious and definitely worth a visit.  We walked through Lincoln Park on our way to the zoo.  It's a super nice park!  We walked around this pond that had a nice boardwalk all around it.  Archer and Lyla loved running around it and looking at all the flowers, birds, ducks, and geese.  I think they actually had more fun there than at the zoo!

We made it to the zoo and Lyla decided to promptly fall down and scrape her hand and knee.  It set her off and kind of set the tone for the rest of the day.  It was a really nice zoo, but we didn't see many animals.  And it got pretty crowded.  Plus, Archer and Lyla were just crabby!  They didn't want to ride in the stroller, but they didn't want to hold our hands or go where we told them too.  I think all the people around didn't help.  I think they tend to get overwhelmed when we're in big crowds, Lyla especially.  So we exited the zoo with two screaming toddlers.  Once we got back to the park area with fewer people, they calmed down.  Or it might have been the Smarties I gave to them to get them to stop screaming so people would stop looking at us.

So after their candy, we decided to go get ice cream for lunch.  We are wonderful parents.  But I must say, Lyla and Archer's spirits soared once we got to Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream.  It was super cute and the ice cream was delicious!  After we got the kids all sugared up, we headed back to the condo so they could crash. 

    

When they woke up from their naps, Adam had the idea to take them to see Lake Michigan.  The weather had been pretty chilly and cloudy, but the sun came out and it seemed like the perfect excuse to go check out the water.  Our condo was located a block away from the coast, so we didn't have to go very far to see the water.  There's a nice path all along the coast.  Walking along the path was one of my favorite parts of the trip.  Archer and Lyla were happily gazing at the water.  There were pretty views of the skyline to take in.  The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect.  We passed by some parents with newborn twins along the way.  It helped me remember how far Lyla and Archer have come!  And how far Adam and I have come as parents.  

We stopped at one of the beaches so Archer and Lyla could dip their toes in the water.  Archer was excited to get into the water, but as soon as the chilly water touched his toes, he turned right around.  He found a stick on the beach and was quite content to drag it around in the sand.  

Lyla, on the other hand, loved the water!  She kept her feet in until Adam had to take her out because she started shivering!  She also enjoyed the sand and even tried a mouthful of it.  

We wrapped up our last evening eating some more pizza at Giordano's.  While it was good, it doesn't top Lou Malnati's in our book.  As soon as the pizza arrived, both Adam and I said we should have eaten at Lou's again. 

Despite Archer and Lyla having their moments, it was an awesome vacation!  Adam and I feel so lucky we have our sweet little family and the ability to give them new opportunities.  Our vacation also gave us the confidence to think about planning more vacations in the future.  It's a big, beautiful world out there full of all kinds of places and people and experiences.  I'm pretty excited it's my job to expose Archer and Lyla to this wonderful world of ours!  

These Are My Confessions: Toddler Mom Edition

Lyla and Archer are well into toddlerhood.  While they certainly had some sweet qualities as babies, I am loving this age so much more!  Their individual personalities are really coming out, they are starting to talk more, and they are just plain fun!

Back when they were babies, I confessed to some of my more nontraditional parenting methods.  So now that they're toddlers, I'm checking back in with more confessions:

• I fully support the ketchup loophole.  My kids are generally pretty good eaters.  They don't love everything, but they're pretty easy to please in the food department.  When my mom was visiting a little while back, she gave them some ketchup to dip french fries in.  They loved it!  I personally don't like ketchup, so I never thought to give them any.  (Plus, it's messy.)  But ketchup has opened up many more doors in the food department.  If they are being picky, I can now just ask if they want some ketchup to dip their carrots, pulled pork, etc., in.  The enthusiastic response I get is definitely a parenting win.  Who cares if they eat a bit of ketchup along with their broccoli?  Not this mom! 

• I've come to consider the floor of our house as one big plate.  I have no qualms about giving my kids food that has touched our floor.  And not just food that's been on the floor for less than five seconds.  Lyla pulled a teddy graham out of the couch cushion recently that had to have been months old.  I just let her eat it.  I asked her if it was crunchy and she just smiled.  (I might have even given Lyla an animal cracker that fell on the floor at Target because it was the last one and she was about to have a meltdown.  MIGHT have.)    

• I've come to accept judgement from other parents.  Let me give you an example.  We went to Adam's work picnic this past weekend and ate lunch there.  We ended up sitting across from a couple with a kiddo about Archer and Lyla's age.  We were chatting with them and in an attempt to make a connection with them, Adam asked if their kid's favorite word was "NO!" like Archer and Lyla's.  The wife said, "We don't even use the word, so he never says it."  She said this while Lyla was eating Cheetos dipped in ketchup as one of her healthy lunch sides.  I could practically feel the judgement coming from across the table.  Adam and I had a good laugh about this exchange later on. 

• Sometimes I'm jealous of moms who have one kid.  I feel super guilty admitting this, but sometimes it's true!  I feel like I spend the majority of my time with Archer and Lyla just making sure they don't die.  I'm constantly making sure they don't run into the street or scale the drawer handles up to the countertop to reach a knife or choke on a small rock they've stuck in their mouth.  It's hard to just get to enjoy them sometimes.  On the rare occasion I get to spend one on one time with them, it's so nice!  And don't get me started about when both Adam and I get to hang out with one kid.  We got to do this for the first time when we took Archer to get his hair cut while my parents watched Lyla.  We realized this was the first time in almost two years (!) that we spent time together with just one kid!  We couldn't get over how easy it was and how much fun it was!  Even Archer seemed to relish the sole attention of two parents at once!  Of course I wouldn't change a thing.  I am super grateful for Lyla and Archer!  And I know there are some moms out there who are jealous of my twins.  It just makes me realize how important it is to seek out time to spend with each kiddo individually.    

• I have no idea what my kids are supposed to be doing and learning at their age.  Before I had Archer and Lyla, I had every intention of reading lots of books detailing each stage of their development and researching the best kind of stimulating activities to do with them.   But then I had them and realized I would rather spend my free time sleeping or watching Netflix.  The few activities I've tried with them never seem to turn out.  They cry or eat the activity or make a huge mess.  And then I'm reminded why I would rather watch Netflix during their nap time instead of cutting up pipe cleaners.  My Parents As Teachers parent educator assures me they are doing very well, so that's good enough for me.  

• I probably give my kids far too much independence.  I know there are all sorts of parenting styles out there.  I'm a big believer in letting kids learn to problem-solve and do things on their own.  Plus, it's just more difficult to hover over two kids all the time.  So Lyla and Archer tend to get a little more freedom.  I let them play by themselves up in their rooms.  Their rooms have all the necessary child-proofing (outlet covers, furniture anchors, etc.)  And I can tell the difference between a "Archer just grabbed the book I was reading out of my hand" cry and a "I've been injured and need a kiss" cry.  So I kinda just let them be for parts of the day.  Otherwise, I'd never be able to take a shower.  I realize I'm really lucky that they have each other as playmates and it's definitely a perk of having twins.  I feel like this independence truly helps them learn to interact better with each other and grow their bond.  It's my favorite thing in the whole world when I hear them giggling together.        

So there you have it, these are my confessions.  Being a mom continues to be the most wonderful, overwhelming role I've ever had the pleasure of taking on.  I know I'm far from perfect.  I reflect on things I should have done differently daily.  I look at other moms and feel like I need to step up my game.  

Even though my doubts grow, so does my confidence.  I see proof that I'm doing something right, like when Lyla carries both water cups to the living room and hands one to Archer without me asking her to do so.  Or when Archer hands another kid at storytime some of his coveted blue blocks.  And the way both Archer and Lyla look at me when they say, "Mommy," is enough to let me know I'm doing just fine.